5 Texas billionaires on list of Americans who give away most money

Updated 11:24 am, Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Photo: RODOLFO GONZALEZ, AP

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Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Inc., and his wife Susan are shown Monday, May 15 2006, in Austin, Texas, after they announce a gift of $50 million gift to the University of Texas for a pediatric research institute, a center for health living and a computer sciences building.

Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Inc., and his wife Susan are shown Monday, May 15 2006, in Austin, Texas, after they announce a gift of $50 million gift to the University of Texas for a pediatric research institute,

The highest ranking local contributors were Houstonians John and Laura Arnold, who took the No. 12 spot with donations of more than $204 million, including $40 million for public schools in New Orleans.

John Arnold made news in May 2012 when he retired at age 38 as a hedge fund manager.

The couple has continued to support education. In October, they pledged $10 million of their own money, independent of their Houston-based foundation, to keep Head Start centers open across the country during the government shutdown.

Next on the list, at No. 18, are Austin philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell, who donated $100 million.

Half of that went to Michael Dell's alma mater, the University of Texas, to help establish a new medical school, Forbes reported. His other major focus was on childhood health.

In putting together the list, Forbes did not include donors' pledges that are to be paid over future years but did take into account money received last year from earlier pledges, according to a methodology note.

Donations to family foundations weren't counted but any money a foundation spent in 2012 was credited to the giver.

Only donations made while the person was alive were counted. George Mitchell made the list based upon his 2012 donations.